Get Quotes from Top TV Repair Services in El Paso, TX

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a TV Repairman in El Paso

According to the American Time Use Survey (ATUS), watching television is America's favorite pastime, with up to 80% of the population watching it every day. With the majority of the population enjoying the company of their televisions on a daily basis, it is not surprising to panic or attempt a DIY repair if your TV suddenly stops working. This may be disastrous as you risk damaging your TV, voiding the warranty, and exposing yourself to electrical hazards like electrocution.

As such, contacting an experienced, competent, certified, and insured TV repair technician is always in your best interest. A professional TV technician repair will ensure that:

  • Your warranty is protected
  • Genuine parts are used
  • You are protected from repair-related electrical hazards
  • You save money on an immediate replacement

You can ensure that you hire the best hand for your repairs by asking your prospective TV repair technician the following questions:

Do You Repair All Types of TVs?

Before hiring a TV repair service in El Paso, ensure the technician possesses the requisite knowledge and skill to work with your TV's unique features. Do not assume that all Televisions are the same and can be handled in the same manner. This is particularly important given that the make and models of TVs are different in the following ways:

  • Screen Type: Most modern TVs are either flat screens or curved screens. These two types of TVs often vary in size, weight, number of pixels, refresh rates, curvature ratings, screen ratio, and viewing distance.
  • Technology Type: the most common TV technologies include:
    • Direct View/Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT): This is the first generation of commercially available televisions. They are characterized by their bulkiness, smaller screens, and high energy consumption. CRTs are less expensive than new flat-screen televisions and also refresh at a faster rate. While CRT TVs are still available, production of these models has ceased in most countries in favor of newer technologies.
    • Plasma: these models started as cheaper and cleaner alternatives to tube TVs. They also offer more contrasted images than tube TVs. However, the resulting image quality offered by these TVs decreased over time. Plasma TV technology is now considered obsolete.
    • Digital Light Processing (DLP): these last longer and are more lightweight than plasma TVs. However, new brands of these types of TVs are no longer readily available.
    • Light Crystal Display (LCD): These televisions use liquid crystal to generate images on the screen. LCD TVs are the most popular TVs on the market. This could be attributed to their size and low energy consumption rate. However, LCD TVs can suffer from motion blur due to slow response times, resulting in a distorted view that can ruin your pastime.
    • Light-Emitting Diode (LED): these TVs are typically upgraded LCDs that use light-emitting diodes for blacklights rather than cold-cathode fluorescent lights (CCFL). As a result, they benefit from less power consumption and sharper, higher-quality images. This TV technology also has more modern variants, like OLED and AMOLED TVs, which offer even better images for less power consumption. They are, however, more expensive than LCD.
  • Brand/Model Specific Extras: these generally TVs with the latest designs and technology such as Voice Activation, High Dynamic Range, Ultra-High Definition, and internet connectivity/Smart TVs

Given the wide range of TVs available, confirming your technician's expertise in providing the service you require is crucial before entering into any agreement with them. To ensure that you hire an expert to repair your TV, ask your prospective TV repairer what brands and models of televisions they specialize in repairing.

Do You Deal with All the Brands of TV?

There are several brands of TVs available in El Paso, and they include:

Brand Highlights Drawbacks Calling Card
Samsung Impressive TV quality
4K & 8K options
Smart TV options
Pricey QLED and QD-OLED
Sony Great sound and picture quality
HDR and Smart TV options are readily available
Eco-friendly
Pricey Cognitive Processor XR Chip and mini-LED
LG Sleek designs
Affordable models
Smart TV options
No HDR 10+ support OLED
Hisense Great value at low prices
Sizes of up to 100" available
Processing issues Variety
TCL Roku and Google compatible
Up to 8K
Affordable options
Processing and picture quality may not be up to par with pricier models Value
Vizio Affordable
4K resolutions
OS may lag and be buggy Quantum

Given that these brands have different features and specifications, it is essential to confirm, before entering into any agreements with a TV repair company, that their technicians are conversant with the exact brand of TV you intend to have repaired.

Can You Advise if I Repair or Replace My TV?

Professional TV services who specialize in fixing the kind and brand of TV you want to repair will not hesitate to tell you whether your TV fault can be fixed or if you need to replace the TV. If your preferred TV repair service finds it difficult to tell you the best line of action to take, they are either unsure of what you should do or have yet to encounter your TV's particular issue. Both of these situations often happen when the TV repairer is not experienced in working with the exact kind and brand of TV you want to repair.

While it is good to seek the advice of an experienced TV repair technician when your TV suddenly stops working or begins to malfunction, it is equally good to see if it is a minor issue that can be fixed without a repairer's help. Not every TV problem is a hardware issue; therefore, you should always try troubleshooting and researching the problem on the internet to confirm whether it is a minor issue that you can fix on your own. If you find out that you will require the services of a repairer, you should take the following steps:

  • Research costs: find out the cost of fixing the TV fault and weigh it against the cost of an actual TV replacement. To be sure, you can get estimates for the type of repair you need from at least three TV repairers in El Paso. Note that many professional TV repair services in the city offer free cost estimates.
  • Miscellaneous considerations: consider other factors like whether you are soon moving into a newly constructed or remodeled home. If you are moving into a new home, you may fancy getting a brand new TV instead of fixing an old and faulty one

Even though the average life of a television is between 30,000 and 100,000 hours or 10 to 15 years with regular use, certain situations may require an immediate TV replacement. Examples of situations include:

  • The TV is more than ten years old
  • There has been physical damage to the TV
  • The problem has to do with the TV's panel
  • The TV has developed a hardware issue
  • You have fixed the same issue at least more than once

Are All Your Repair Experts Certified?

When considering hiring a TV repair service in El Paso, make sure the technician has received adequate technical training, has access to your TV manufacturer's technical support team, and has professional certifications relevant to the work they intend to do. Many TV repair technicians in El Paso receive formal training and certification from international organizations and local trade schools such as:

  • The Electronics Technicians Association International
  • The International Society of Certified Electronic Technicians
  • Center for Career and Technology Education
  • El Paso Community College

You can confirm whether your preferred TV technician is certified by any international organizations and local trade schools by asking for proof of certification and verifying it with the organization responsible for issuing the certificate.

Do You Offer Same-Day Repair Services?

At least 66% of Americans watch television while eating dinner. Given that the majority of Americans prefer to eat their dinner while watching television, it is always in a homeowner's best interest to find out how quickly their faulty TV will be repaired before signing any agreement with their preferred TV repairer.

While most TV faults are minor problems that do not take more than a day to fix, some take two days or more. Examples of TV faults that may take longer to fix are:

  • Broken screen
  • Dead pixels
  • Fried circuit boards
  • Dead motherboard

Regardless of the type of fault you want a technician to fix, you should always ask your prospective technician if they offer same-day service. Technicians that offer same-day service get minor problems fixed and return the TV on the same day. They will start the repair immediately if it is a major problem that may take more than one day.

Consider it a red flag if your preferred technician refuses to provide a definite timeline for the repair work or give you an estimate of the fees you may accrue if the repairs last more than a day.

Besides asking your prospective technician if they offer same-day service, you should also ask if the repairs can be done at your home or if the faulty TV will have to be taken to the TV repairman's workshop. Many TV repair technicians offer home service to interested persons for just extra fees. This service is especially crucial if you are using a very delicate TV.

Do You Hold the Relevant License for TV Repair Technicians?

TV repair technicians in El Paso do not require any locally issued occupational licenses to provide their services to interested residents of the city. However, anyone who wishes to own a TV repair service must meet certain business registration requirements in the city.

TV repair services in the city are required to register an Assumed Business Name/DBA with the El Paso County Clerk. An Assumed Business Name/DBA allows its holder to operate their business legally and is valid for ten years in El Paso. However, an Assumed Business Name/DBA must be re-filled within 60 days of expiration.

Interested persons can file their Assumed Business Name/DBA in person at the El Paso County Clerk located at:

Office of the El Paso County Clerk
500 East. San Antonio Suite 105
El Paso, TX 7990

For more information concerning business registration in El Paso, contact the Office of the El Paso County Clerk at (915) 545-2071.

Before hiring a TV repair service, it is important to confirm if they have met the city's business registration requirements. You can do this by asking your preferred TV repair service for their Assumed Business Name/DBA certificate and verifying it with the El Paso County Clerk by calling the telephone number listed above.

Professional TV repair technicians in El Paso offer a wide range of TV-related services to interested persons. These services include but are not limited to:

TV mounting and installation:
$80 - $300
TV setup:
$40 - $120 per hour
Smart device setup:
$130 - $1,300
Remote repair:
$10 - $40
Phone repair:
$50 - $600
Household appliance repair:
$50 - $400
VCR system repair:
$40 - $125
Computer repair:
$100 - $1,000

While hiring the same technician to perform one or more television-related services is less expensive than hiring two separate technicians, you should always ensure that your preferred TV repair technician has the necessary skills and experience to provide both services satisfactorily. More so, you should research the cost of each service before signing any agreement with your preferred TV repairer.

Do You Offer Genuine Spare Parts?

Before hiring a TV repair technician in El Paso, make sure you find out the kind of TV parts they will be using for the repair. Many professional TV repair technicians in the city provide their customers with the option of using genuine Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) TV parts or generic aftermarket TV parts for TV repairs.

While genuine Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) TV parts are more expensive than aftermarket parts, OEM parts have better quality and tend to last longer. In addition, OEM parts are also compatible with your TV and come with a warranty that covers the cost of repairing or replacing the part if something goes wrong before the warranty period expires.

However, it is essential to note that in some cases, OEM parts may not be readily available on the market, leaving your technician with no choice but to use generic aftermarket parts.

Regardless of the kind of TV part your preferred technician will be using for the job, you should always keep in mind that the required parts for the job can take up to three to four business days to be delivered, depending on their availability.

Are Your Repair Services Covered by a Warranty?

If you are thinking about buying a new TV or repairing an old one, you should consider what will happen if the newly purchased TV develops defects after purchase or if the repaired TV develops the same fault. As such, you should always ask if the TV you want to buy is covered by the manufacturer's warranty and if the repair service you are getting is covered by a warranty.

A manufacturer warranty provides coverage against defects and issues in the product materials and workmanship, so it guarantees the quality of the product for a specific timeframe. Most modern TV technology comes with a one-year warranty from the manufacturer. However, manufacturer warranties often vary for each brand and model of TV. Therefore, it is crucial to read the warranty document given to you before making the purchase. Manufacturer warranties generally do not cover issues resulting from:

  • Normal wear and tear
  • Cosmetic damage
  • Burn-in or image retention
  • Damages that occurred during shipment (this is handled by the store)
  • Misuse or abuse by the user
  • Power line surge
  • Natural disasters

You can extend the length of coverage provided by your manufacturer warranty by requesting an extended warranty for the purchase. This type of warranty frequently covers the costs of preventative maintenance, replacement, no- or low-cost repairs, and power-surge-related issues. Many of these benefits even include in-home service and pickup for defective products, saving you the trouble of transporting your large, heavy TV back to the store.

Listed below are some benefits and drawbacks of purchasing an extended protection plan for your TV:

Pros of Extended Protection Plans Cons of Extended Protection Plans
Provides additional coverage for TVs Can be quite expensive
Can be used after the original manufacturer's warranty expires Cost is not usually justified for low-end TVs
Offers extra peace of mind Repairs covered usually cost less than the actual plan

Unlike manufacturer or extended warranties, a repair service warranty covers defects resulting from poor installation, repair work, or missing parts or hardware. Reputable professional TV technicians will not hesitate to provide a warranty for services that will be rendered and the materials that will be used to render these services. This is especially important in El Paso, where many unscrupulous individuals pose as professionals to defraud unsuspecting citizens.

Many professional TV repair technicians in the city offer a minimum three-month service warranty. Nonetheless, it is essential always to find out the length and conditions of the warranty your preferred TV technician offers before signing any agreement with them.

How to File a Complaint Against a Bad TV Repair Service in the El Paso

Complaints involving bad TV repair service can be made to the Texas Office of the Attorney General's Consumer Protection division.

Dishonest TV repair technicians in El Paso often attempt to defraud local residents who need TV repair services by employing a variety of schemes and dubious tactics, which include:

  • Lying about their credentials
  • Requesting full payment before the job is completed
  • Damaging other parts of the TV to increase the cost of the service
  • Claiming that the TV is damaged and needs replacing
  • Using inferior or pirated parts for the job despite collecting fees for genuine parts

Residents of El Paso can avoid getting scammed by dishonest TV repair technicians by taking the following actions:

  • Get recommendations on TV repair technicians from family and friends who have received the same service in the past
  • Request an initial inspection and estimate for repair service from your preferred TV technician. You should always seek the opinion of more than one technician and compare costs from at least three technicians before signing any agreement.
  • Check reviews on your preferred TV repair services online via websites like the Better Business Bureau, Google Reviews, and Yelp.
  • Always confirm that your preferred TV repair service is registered with the El Paso County Clerk.
  • Always confirm that you will be offered a warranty
  • Do not pay the total cost of your required TV repair services upfront, and consider it a red flag if any technician asks you to do this
  • Keep an eye on the technician while the repair work is going on
  • Always ensure that you are given a receipt for any purchased parts

If you think an El Paso TV repair technician exploited you, call the Texas Office of the Attorney General at (800) 621-0508 or (210) 225-4191. You can also file a complaint with this office online.